Research · Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD

2006 Lexus LX470Recalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls and 15 owner complaints for the 2006 Lexus LX470. Most complaints involve air bags (6) and steering (3). The EPA rates it 13 mpg combined.

Combined MPG
13mpg
EPA · 1 version
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
3campaigns
Latest Aug 2017
Owner complaints
15
Top: air bags
Fuel cost / yr
$4,800est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

3 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Air bags: inflator module

Free remedy

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2008-2016 Toyota Land Cruiser, 2006 Lexus LX470, and 2008-2013 Lexus LX570 vehicles. These vehicles may be equipped with an incorrect driver or front passenger air bag. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."

Air bagsReported Aug 31, 2017NHTSA 17V548000

Air bags: side

Free remedy

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2003-2006 Toyota Land Cruiser and Lexus LX470, 2005-2006 Toyota Tundra and Sequoia, 2004-2006 Toyota 4Runner and Lexus GX470 vehicles equipped with side curtain-shield-air bags. The affected vehicles have an air bag control module that may be improperly programmed, causing the side curtain-shield-air bags to deploy inadvertently.

Air bagsReported Feb 5, 2016NHTSA 16V065000

Steering: shaft pitman

Free remedy

TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2003-2007 LEXUS LX470 VEHICLES. THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE STEERING SHAFT IS SUCH THAT THE SNAP RING ON THE SHAFT MAY DISENGAGE WHEN THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCES AN UNUSUALLY SEVERE IMPACT TO THE FRONT WHEELS. IF THE SNAP RING BECOMES DISENGAGED AND THE STEERING WHEEL IS THEN REPEATEDLY TURNED TO THE LOCKED POSITION, OVER TIME THE STEERING SHAFT MAY BECOME DISCONNECTED.

SteeringReported Jul 29, 2010NHTSA 10V346000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

15 complaints filed with NHTSA · Nov 2006 – Jan 2023
  1. Air bags6
  2. Steering3
  3. Vehicle speed control2
  4. Exterior lighting2
  5. Power train1
  6. Engine1
  7. Equipment1
  8. Electrical system1

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each LX470 model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
19985
199914
200017
20015
200210
200321
200418
20059
200615
20074
Crashes reported
2
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Air bags

6 reports
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 LEXUS LX470. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEALER (LEN STOLER LEXUS, 11311 REISTERSTOWN RD, OWINGS MILLS, MD 21117, (410) 773-9613) SCHEDULED THREE APPOINTMENTS TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V065000 (AIR BAGS). HOWEVER, THE PARTS WERE UNAVAILABLE FOR THE REPAIRS EACH TIME. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND WAS UNABLE TO INDICATE A REASONABLE TIME FRAME FOR WHEN THE PARTS WOULD ARRIVE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT. *TT *JS”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 6, 2018Air bagsODI 11109838

Steering

3 reports
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 LEXUS LX470. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER HAVING REPAIRS PERFORMED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 10V346000 (STEERING: GEAR BOX: SHAFT PITMAN), HE BEGAN TO HAVE PROBLEMS TILTING THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE HORN WOULD ACTIVATE INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER HOWEVER, THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 41,980.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 12, 2012SteeringODI 10479901

Vehicle speed control

2 reports2 crashes
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 LEXUS LX470. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO DECELERATE THE VEHICLE LURCHED FORWARD. CONSEQUENTLY, SHE CRASHED INTO A NEARBY UTILITY POLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION. THE TECHNICIAN COULD NOT IDENTIFY THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE, BECAUSE THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 34798. UPDATED 12/07/09 *BF THE CONSUMER WAS AT A STOP WITH HER FOOT ON THE BRAKE WHEN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY MADE A ROARING SOUND AND LURCHED FORWARD AND CRASHED INTO A UTILITY POLE. THE FLOOR MATS WERE NOT INVOLVED. UPDATED 12/09/09.*JB”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 9, 2009Vehicle speed controlCrash reportedODI 10291506
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

1 version rated by the EPA
EPA class
Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
Engines
4.7L 8-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic 5-spd
Drive
4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
LX 470
Auto 5-spd, 8 cyl, 4.7 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
121513$4,800684
  • LX 470
    Auto 5-spd, 8 cyl, 4.7 L
    12 city · 15 hwy · $4,800/yr
    13
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2006 Lexus LX470 as of Nov 10, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 10, 2026Vehicle 1894
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2006 LX470 questions

How many recalls does the 2006 Lexus LX470 have?

3 safety recalls as of Nov 10, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2006 Lexus LX470 problems?

Owners filed 15 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are air bags (6), steering (3), vehicle speed control (2). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2006 Lexus LX470 get?

The EPA rates the 2006 Lexus LX470 at 13 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (1 version rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 10, 2026